Good morning, Baltimore! Good grief, Washington!

First of all, this is not a ploy to sell tickets to “Hairspray, ” the Sixth Annual Summer High School Musical Theatre Experience, opening July 29 at FSCJ South Campus. It's practically sold out and probably will be by the end of the first of only two weekends. Instead this is a ploy to celebrate the value of Arts education. Any of the FSCJ Arts faculty can easily talk about the formative benefits of Arts performance and technical education. Parents and other audience members I spoke to after last summer's show, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat"  had more to say than just how wonderful their kids were. They brought up what their kids learned about discipline, working with other people, adhering to a schedule, taking direction from leaders, responsibility, and sometimes dealing with disappointment. These are all things adults deal with each day, some better than others. How great is it to learn about these things in an atmosphere of laughter, music, and the reward of applause? These students also got to see first-hand the value of graciousness and generosity, through the volunteer efforts of family and friends; but also through local businesses who became involved. Rio Hair Studio owner Misty Burbridge and stylist Heidi Hull donated styling services for the wigs and a training day for the students to learn how to tease/set their hair in early 1960s styles. Monica Canady, a local stylist, donated her services in wig styling, and a training day for the African-American students to learn how to tease and set their hair in period style, as well as a specialty hair style for 'Seaweed' and makeup for 'Edna.' These entrepreneurs understand the values of giving back, of being mentors to our youth, and they are excellent role models and examples for the students to follow. Kudos to everyone involved, and if you're lucky enough to see Hairspray, understand you're not just seeing a show--you're seeing education in action.

What the White House called political theatre was a bill put before the House that would cut spending in return for raising the$14 trillion debt ceiling. IS it theatre? Is it dance? Is it an economic solution? Is it time to call in the experts to explain it? With less than a week to go before the debt crisis deadline,  FSCJ has professors of Economics and professors of Political Science who are willing to share their expertise and learned opinions on what should happen, what could happen, and if it's curtains for anyone's political careers. Zip an email to mcorby@fscj.edu or call me at 904-632-3310 for access to an expert.

Thanks to Will Gay for hacking into my computer last week and filling in for me! Nice work!

(Exeunt all except Hamlet.)